Australia
Sydney
UMR Index Rank
#29
(-6)
Score: 56%
Sustainable Mobility
#30
(-1)
Score: 51.1%
Public Transit
#19
(-4)
Score: 58.4%
Technology Adoption
#29
Score: 45.2%
| Population | 5.0 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 2,178 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 2,300 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 62,732 |
UMR Index Rank
#29
(-6)
Score: 56%
Sustainable Mobility
#30
(-1)
Score: 51.1%
Public Transit
#19
(-4)
Score: 58.4%
Technology Adoption
#29
Score: 45.2%
What Sydney Does Well In Urban Mobility
Sydney has a strong multimodal network, including a fully automated metro system that opened in 2019. The metro is scheduled to grow from 21 stations in 2024 to 46 by 2030. While the project has been marred by delays and cost increases, dedicated spending for the next four years aims to put the project back on track. The opening of a new section of the M1 metro line in the northwest in August 2024 is a first step to improve transit density and connectivity. The budget is also intended to expand Sydney’s rapid bus network and improve accessibility at train station parking lots by installing more elevators, ramps, and footbridges.
Sydney is home to a well-connected and maintained road network and a robust traffic management system. Sydney’s Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System is an advanced traffic management system that synchronizes traffic signals to optimize traffic flow and claims to reduce travel time by 28% and fuel consumption by 12%.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Sydney’s Transportation System
City-wide challenges in active mobility infrastructure remain, with shortcomings in walking and cycling infrastructure. However, the state’s 2023-2024 budget allocates approximately AU$60 million ($40 million) for active mobility infrastructure investments over the next four years, which should support Sydney’s efforts. Sydney’s 2030 cycling plan aims for 10% of all trips to be made by bike. Sydney has created car-free space in the city center and aims to spend more than AU$28 million ($19 million) each year to enhance and add new pedestrian walkways, which should help encourage walking.
Energy production in Sydney is less sustainable than in other Australian cities like Melbourne, with carbon-rich energy sources like coal used to generate electricity. That prevents the city from fully benefiting from electric modes of transportation. In fact, Sydney is in the same range as cities such as Mumbai and Delhi in terms of the carbon intensity of its electricity production.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Sydney Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
While the state of New South Wales aims to double the number of active mobility trips over the next two decades, the city’s cycling infrastructure still lags behind many of its peers, including Melbourne. Installing and maintaining dedicated bike lanes with safety dividers on main roadways can encourage cycling adoption. Bikes are permitted on most forms of public transit; however, they are not allowed on buses due to space restrictions. Investing in a bus fleet with bike racks can integrate cycling for first- and last-kilometer travel with public transit. Supporting the expansion of existing bike-sharing services, with more stations, bikes, and e-bikes, can further encourage cycling adoption.
Currently, Sydney’s public transit system is underutilized due to a low station density that limits residents’ access to metro stations or bus stops. While Sydney is investing in expanding its metro, the city can add bus routes and stops to help connect residents with current and future metro lines. This is a cost- effective improvement that helps lower walking distances and overall commute times.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley